Biological Science Technician (Plants)(Seasonal)

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/16/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience.

To receive credit for experience, your 2 page resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.

Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed. To qualify for this position at the GS-04 grade level, you must possess one of the following: A.

Six (6) months of general experience and six (6) months of specialized experience, for a total of one year of experience. General experience is any type of work that demonstrates the ability to perform the work of the position or provides familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad biological sciences field.

Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: Assisting with basic plant or vegetation inventories, studies, and surveys; collecting and recording field data related to plants, vegetation, or associated habitats; and assisting with routine vegetation management activities such as seed collection, planting, propagation, weeding, or other plant maintenance activities.

Excess specialized experience may substitute for general experience; however, excess general experience may not substitute for the required specialized experience. -OR- B. Successfully completed at least two (2) full years of college level study that includes at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics, etc.

At least six (6) semester hours were directly related to this position (i.e. plant taxonomy, botany, forestry, plant ecology, etc.). -OR- C. Equivalent combination of experience and education that, together, equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined. For example, six (6) months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement) combined with one year of education as outlined above (50% of the education above), along with 50% of the course-specific education stated above.

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess one of the following: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 level in the federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector).

Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position.Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: Applying/performing a variety of manual, mechanical, and chemical methods to manage threats to native plants, vegetation, and associated habitats; performing basic vegetation inventories, studies, and surveys; and participating in vegetation management activities such as seed collection, planting, propagation, and weeding. -OR- B.

Successfully completed at least four years of education above high school (120 semester hour or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with a major study in a related field of scientific or technical study, such as in biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics, or other directly related subject matter; or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as those shown above.

At least 6 semester hours must be directly related to this position (i.e., plant taxonomy, botany, forestry, plant ecology, etc.). -OR- C. Equivalent combination of experience and education that, together, equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined. For example, six (6) months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement) combined with one year of education as outlined above (50% of the education above), along with 50% of the course-specific education stated above.

To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level, you must possess one of the following: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector). Specialized experience is experience that equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position.

Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: Organizing and maintaining program data and information; independently applying/performing a variety of manual, mechanical, and chemical methods to manage threats to native plants, vegetation, and associated habitats; conducting vegetation inventories, studies, and surveys and recording field data; and carrying out vegetation management activities such as seed collection, planting, propagation, and weeding. -OR- B.

Successfully completed one full year (18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours) of graduate level course work, from an accredited college or university, leading to a Master's degree with a major study directly related to the position to be filled. Graduate study must have been in a field of study that is directly related to the work of this position such as plant taxonomy, botany, forestry, plant ecology, etc. -OR- C.

Equivalent combination of experience and education that, together, equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined. For example, six (6) months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement) combined with one year of education as outlined above (50% of the education above), along with 50% of the course-specific education stated above. NOTE: If you are qualifying based in part on education, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts.

Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at: OPM Qualification Standards. Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Open to the first 50 applicants or until 11/16/2026 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration. Some of the Biological Science Technician (Plants) Standard Duties include but are not limited to: Make field observations of natural resource conditions. Carry out a variety of field activities such as plant surveys, control of non-native and invasive plant species, and enhancement of native plant populations.

• Utilize a variety of computer programs to compile, reduce, store, retrieve, and report data and other resource management information.
• Utilize databases to enter and organize collected field data.
• Conduct invasive plant treatment efforts using a variety of methods, including manual removal, mechanical removal using power equipment and hand tools, and chemical treatment using herbicide.

Conduct revegetation including installation of container plants, salvaged plants, and divisions, as well as collection and sowing of seeds. Additional duties for GS-05: Record all data collected and ensure adequate quality control. Perform routine and recurring testing of collected samples. Conduct routine resource monitoring programs for evaluating rare, threatened and endangered plant species, vegetation communities, population dynamics, ecosystem relationships, and public health/safety issues.

Utilize databases to enter and organize collected field data and uses standard statistical methods in the preparation of draft reports. Perform data collection, data entry, and spatial mapping and analysis using GIS (ArcGIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, including use of Trimble and mobile units running GIS software programs such as Field Maps. Additional duties for GS-06: Lead field crews to implement vegetation and ecological restoration project work.

Select appropriate methods, tools, and herbicides to control invasive plants in different conditions. Assist in the implementation and monitoring of restoration, re-vegetation, and long-term monitoring projects. Identify vascular plants to species level using dichotomous keys. Lead volunteers. Conduct photo documentation of project work. Utilize a variety of computer programs including Geographic Information System (GIS) software to compile, and report data and other resource management information.

Assist in preparing reports, plans, and guidelines. Maintain and organize computer databases. Install, operate, and maintain resource management equipment. Perform equipment inventories, evaluate quality assurance compliance, calibrate parts and equipment/supplies. Provide training to others involved in resource management projects and field research. Assist with development and implementation of safety plans and job hazard analysis.